I finished writing this days ago but because I wasn't satisfied with it, I ended up improving it until I was happy with it and it took a while because of that story I wrote for that mediaminer challenge. I think people who like my stories will like it is well.
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Far far away in the kingdom of Kei, a certain queen and her kirin were having a debate about some stupid political matter. Unfortunately, for Keiki, Youko noticed that he didn't seem to in the mood for it and it led to one conclusion: Keiki must be thinking about something. And so, in a rather misguided attempt to understand each other better, she asked him what he was thinking about.
''That incident when we ended up in the same bed.'' Keiki stated bluntly without the slightest hint of emotion on his face.
Youko sighed. If only Keiki wasn't so blunt...but at least her ministers are not around to hear this or she'll kill him for making such an embarrassing comment. But then, she reflected, since she's the one who asked him what he was thinking about, it was her fault as well. Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, she fished around in her head for an answer which won't result in an equally embarrassing reply and came up with one.
''Didn't I tell you already that I got drunk and had no idea what I did afterwards? said Youko exasperatedly.
''You were the one who made me drink the wine which got me drunk in the first place. Thus-''
Youko tried to calm herself down but failed miserably. ''Are you trying to say that the incident was my entire fault?
Keiki thought for a while. ''No.''
''Then why is it that I keep getting the feeling that you're trying to say that the incident was my entire fault?''
''Your majesty is just imagining things.''
''And why do you think I'm imagining things?''
''I don't know.''
''Then think of some better reply then.''
It was a long time before he thought of something to say but just as he was about to say it out, a servant entered. Youko glared at the servant, pissed that he had overheard their conversation. Even if what he heard was just a tiny part of it, it was enough to conclude that there was an incident and if the ministers got even the tiniest detail, they would do their own 'research', which involves interviewing everyone and making the servants spy on her. She knew they did it for her own good, but she couldn't help feeling like some helpless toddler who gets into trouble all the time.
''What is it?'' She asked irritably. The servant, quavering under her glare mutely handed her a letter. She read it through quickly and chuckled as she read through the first paragraph, at least until she noticed the servant still standing there. Suddenly remembering that unsaid rule that masters must dismiss their servants before they can leave, she kicked herself mentally for forgetting something she should know by instinct by now.
''You may leave.'' The servant heaved a sigh of relief and left, glad that he didn't have to endure Youko's glare.
''Who wrote the letter?' asked Keiki.
''Shouryuu and Enki.'' She replied, glad that he seemed to have forgotten about the incident.
''What do they want?'' Keiki asked rather brusquely. The last time they sent a letter, it was one asking for money to gamble at one of their casinos.
''They want to invite us for dinner.'' Keiki relaxed. At least they had the decency not to ask for more money. They had a hard time convincing the ministers that it was for a good cause when they found out she had lent Shouryuu some money without their consultation, especially when she won't say what the 'good cause' was.
''Well,'' she asked nervously.''Can we go?'' She waited for his reply, expecting Keiki to say they can't go because of some meeting she had probably forgotten about.
''Yes.'' Youko breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she didn't have some kind of meeting when she heard the sound of someone running. She spun round and saw one of her ministers hurrying towards her with some kind of letter in his hand.
''What's the matter?''
Instead of answering, he shoved it into Keiki's hands and stopped, gasping for air. Keiki immediately read through it.
''On second thoughts,'' he said. ''It seems we have two options: either neither of us go or you have to go alone.''
''Why?''
''It's an urgent message which requires my immediate presence. Judging from your expression, you clearly want to go so you'll have to go alone then.'' With that, he turned and left, leaving Youko alone with the minister. After dismissing him, she wondered about what to do.
''I guess I'll have to ask Rakushun along then.'' She noted the sun's position and exclaimed. ''Noon already?'' She paused, pondering what to do. ''If I send him a letter now, it may be too late. But if I'm lucky, he may get here in time and we'll be able to get there in time together.'' With that, she hurried off.
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The next chapter will probably take longer than usual since when I started writing this, I made a list of the ideas I had and I haven't got as far as the next chapter yet.
